Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from Councillors L M Broadley, L Eaton JP and F S Ghattoraya.

To appoint substitute Members in accordance with Rule 26 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Substitution Procedure Rules.

None.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

Councillors N Alam and G A Boulter declared a pecuniary interest with regard to the Selective Licensing Update in item 7 of the agenda, insofar as they both owned a property in South Wigston.

To read, confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 September 2022 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

To receive any Petitions and, or, Deputations in accordance with Rule(s) 11 and 12 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

None.

Report of the Head of Customer Service & Transformation

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out on pages 8 – 56), which asked it to note the update on the progress achieved during the second quarter against achieving the Council’s Corporate Objectives.

Members raised queries in relation to various parts of the report, including council tax collection rates, economic regeneration funds, carpark revenues, the Private Sector Letting Scheme, the Communications and Marketing update, Customer Service call wait times and the garden and refuse waste update.

The Committee requested a report for the next meeting on the carbon neutral policy and also requested both percentages and figures be provided for the email subscriptions and engagement rates in the communication section of the Customer Service & Transformation Update.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The contents of the report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Asset Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out on pages 57 – 71), which asked it to approve the draft Litter Strategy 2022 – 2027.

Members raised queries in relation to various parts of the report including the cost of collection, staffing levels, the suitability and safety of town centre bins, the South Leicestershire Litter Wombles, fly-tipping, a perceived over-reliance on social media and the Council website for providing information to the public, whether informational stickers could be attached to public bins and the need for anti-littering education.

Officers agreed to arrange a survey by the Health & Safety Officer be conducted on the safety and suitability of town centre bins and to include more detailed information on the actions taken by Officers in the action plan.

It was moved by Councillor K J Loydall, seconded by Councillor D M Carter, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The draft Litter Strategy (2022 – 2027) (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report) be approved.

Presentation of the Strategic Director

The Committee gave consideration to the presentation given, as attached to these minutes, which provided an outline of the service review approach.

Members requested involvement throughout the review process and Officers agreed to run a session to update Councillors and receive their input.